Protect the Efficiency of Your Steel Building in Winter with the Right Insulation

We’ve all been there before… you have too much stuff and not enough room. Between your kid’s toys, all your office work, and other personal belongings, there’s no room for anything anymore! A metal building from Central Steel Carports is just the solution you need. Not only are they durable and reliable, but they’re the most versatile and longest lasting source of storage offered in the metal building industry. No matter if they’re personal, residential, agricultural, or commercial, one of our custom metal buildings can fulfill all your needs.

Why Insulation is Important for Steel Buildings

Designed and engineered with the finest galvanized steel framing components, you can use a metal building from Central Steel Carports in most any way you desire. But if you plan to store items that can be affected by fluctuating temperatures, we highly recommend insulating your unit. Not only will insulating your structure control the flow of heat from in and out of the unit, but it will also reduce the risk of condensation building up.

Understanding the R-Value of Insulation

In order to choose the insulation best suited to your steel building style and its intended purpose, you need to first determine what situation each type of insulation will be used for. And what better way to do this than to check the R-value of your insulation? The R-value indicates the overall level of thermal resistance and how well the insulation itself works. While there are a variety of options to choose from, you will need to choose a higher R-value insulation for heating purposes. The higher the R-value, the better the thermal resistance. There are types of insulation you can also choose from to use as a vapor barrier.

Different Types of Metal Building Insulation

The type of insulation best suited for your building will depend on a number of factors, one of the most important being the purpose of the structure. While some people may be using their custom metal building as a home, others may intend to use their metal building as a storage unit for their classic car collection. Keep reading to learn more about the various types of insulation offered in the metal building industry.

Prodex Total Insulation

Prodex insulation, which is often referred to as Prodex AD5 (or AD10) Thermal Insualtion, is the best option for reducing your heating and cooling costs. It’s made with reflective aluminum foil on each side of a 5mm or 10mm closed-cell polyethylene foam center. This insulation is ideal for both hot and cold climates.

Loose-Fill

Loose-fill insulation is made with loose fibers or pellets which are blown into the wall cavities of your metal building. And while this type of insulation tends to be slightly more expensive than the other options offered in the metal building industry, it will seal your walls as needed. When you choose a loose-fill insulation for your custom steel structure, we recommend getting a separate radiant barrier installed with it.

Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is created by combining polymer with a foaming agent. It is sprayed into your steel wall and ceiling cavities as a liquid, the mixture then expanding and drying as a solid mass. Compared to other types of insulation, this is a more expensive option; however, when applied correctly, it will fill every open space in your unit. It will also reduce any air leaks in the steel structure.

Rigid Board

This type of insulation is a stiff board that has been created with fiberglass, polystyrene, or polyurethane. Not only is it one of the easiest installation types to install, but it’s also easy to fit into any required space. Rigid board insulation can also be used as a soundproofing material. However, we like to mention that some local building authorities require additional flame-retardant facing for rigid board insulation.

Batt

Also known as a “blanket” insulation, Batt is typically made with fiberglass. It is the least expensive way to insulate your home or most any type of steel building. It’s also the most economical, most effective, and most popular insulation option.

Benefits of Having the Right Insulation

When you choose to insulate your steel building, you usually only have one goal in mind: to maintain a steady temperature in your structure. But despite popular belief, there are several more advantages to having your unit insulated than just keeping the temperature at a constant. We’ve listed a few of the benefits below:

• No more worrying about your belongings being damaged by fluctuating temperatures.
• Your animals (if used to shelter them) will be safe and secure throughout the ever-changing seasons.
• You will have a comfortable office space for your business needs or studio for your hobbies.
• No more fighting heaters in the winter or fans in the summer!
• The risk of condensation build-up is reduced.

Get Your Insulated Your Steel Building from Central Steel Carports

When you hear someone say the words cold, hard steel, you don’t think of warm and cozy, do you? While there are several steps you can take to keep your metal building warm during the harsh winter months, insulating your unit is the most cost-effective and efficient. And while this can be a tedious decision to make, we work hard every day here at Central Steel Carports to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. If you would like to know more about the types of insulation offered in the metal building industry, feel free to reach out to one of our friendly building specialists today at (336) 415-3640.